Revolving photographic background and foreground



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I. A. WETHERBY.

REVOLVING PHOTOGRAPHIO BACKGROUND AND FOREGROUND.

No. 337,904. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. A. WETHBRBY. REVOLVING PHOTOGRAPHIG BACKGROUND AND FORBGROUND. No. 337,904. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC A. XVETHERBY, OF IOXVA CITY, IO\VA.

REVOLVlNG PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND AND FOREGROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.337,904, dated March 16, 1886.

(No model.)

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC A. WETHERBY, of Iowa Gity, county of Johnson, State of Iowa, have invented an Improved Labor-Saving Revolving Operating Light, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and improved photographic apparatus; and the novelty consists in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

In carrying out the invention I employ a revolving turret for equally dispensing the rays of light. This of itself is not new with me. I employ alsoa platform movable on circular guides, which also has been before used in other combinations; but instead of carrying the camera on this movable platform I arrange my camera upon the floor of the gallery, and employ the movable platform only for the purpose of readily and quickly presenting different scenes offoreground and background.

In galleries it is a matter of considerable trouble to move and change the foreground of stumps, rocks, vases, &c., and the different flats or scenes of background to suit different tastes and to produce different effects.

The platform may be provided with as many differentscenes asare desired,bolh foreground and background, by revolving the platform any of which scenic effects may be presented to the proper light and to the camera without changing any of the scenic furniture. The flats are arranged in a frame, so as to be readily interchanged at will.

The essential feature of the invention is sufficiently illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of an ordinary gallery arranged according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view taken from above the roof, part of the turret being broken away to show the internal arrangement of the gallery. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with parts in section.

Referring to the drawings, II designates the floor proper of a photograph-gallery, and D movable platform mounted on wheels or rollers d and operated by a lever, I. Upon this platform is a vertical frame, A, having guides which receive interchangeable flats or scenes B. WVhen in position the flats B radiate in four directions from the center of the platform,thus providing four separate spaces. as D D D D, for articles of foreground, and an object-seat, as 0. As a foreground I have shown a boat, (1. In each of thesespaces may be arranged a different foreground, with a scenic background to match, the background standing upon two planes at right angles to each other, as seen in Fig. 1. lVith this arrangement the camera by being moved slightly, as from point F to F, is enabled to take two views of a person with the same scenery in different relations, thus producing a very beautiful effect.

0 designates the roof, and B a revolving turret, which, being old in the art, requires no further description or illustration.

G designates a convenient rack in which the different flats are stored when not in use.

According to my invention a person entering a gallery has four different scenes from which to makeachoice. The platform being properly revolved to bring the chosen scene in the proper light it is only necessary to prepare the plate and proceed to take the pic ture. The revolving turret softens and dif fuses the light evenly, and the change of the camera allows two views to be taken with grand effect.

The flat holding-frame A maybe of any desired construction and of any proper height.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A photographic apparatus consisting of a revolving platform,D,carrying a backgroundreceiving frame, A, arranged, as described, to divide the surface of the platform into four spaces, D D D D, with interchangeable background and foreground furniture to match, in combination with a camera, as and for the purposes set'forth.

ISAAC A. XVETHERBY.

Witnesses:

MrLToN REMLEY, D. R. PRYSE. 

